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The exact definition of sentience is being able to perceive the outside world and react to stimuli. For example, insects can perceive light and use it to avoid
by deadbeeves 4y ago
The exact definition of sentience is being able to perceive the outside world and react to stimuli. For example, insects can perceive light and use it to avoid dangers. Plants can sense light but can't react other than by growing a certain direction. Sunflowers and venus flytraps could be considered on the edge, but their capacity to sense and react is very specific. The word "sentience" refers to being animal-like in an organism's versatility of reactions.
- boffinism 4y agoYour sentences 3 and 4 prove how your definition in sentence 1 is not remotely exact.
- deadbeeves 4y agoIt's exact in the sense that that is the definition, not in the sense that it defines something in an exact mathematical way.
- rdedev 4y agoIsnt plant communication an active field of research ? I remember reading about how plants in a field can communicate changes in environment (like a bug infestation) with one another.
- deadbeeves 4y agoCommunication doesn't require sentience. You don't need to be able to sense the environment to say "I'm being eaten by bugs!", you just need to be able to sense your own body. On the other hand, the ability to move is pretty much required for sentience. The organism needs to be able to avoid harmful stimuli and seek out beneficial ones to be considered sentient. Just releasing chemicals or signals isn't enough.
- lupire 4y agoYou seem to be confusing "sentient" with "motile". Are non-motile animals sentient? Motile plants?
- shakna 4y agoI would suggest, instead, you are conflating "sentience" with "sapience".